Morwell stench identified as rotting chicken manure

Rotting chicken manure has been identified as the source of a strong fertiliser-like odour that has hung in Morwell sporadically for months.

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) says the manure was being used at a farm north of Morwell.

The regional director, Chris Buckingham, says the authority could not find the source of the smell when it investigated in May.

He says the EPA is happy to have found the source and is working with the farmer to prevent the odour affecting Morwell again.

"If the weather changes, the wind changes, then obviously the pattern of smell and indeed the nature of the composting that's occurring will change as well," he said.

"So we are very pleased to be able to deliver a result for the community of Morwell, give them assurances about what it is that's causing the smell and take some collective action together with the farmer.

"Often when spreading manure or other products, particularly if it's not fully composted or fully decomposed, if it rains or if there is inclement conditions, what we get is partial composting of the manure, or rotting of the manure, and therefore bad odour."

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